Overview

The original Challenger was a latecomer to the pony-car party in 1970, and it ducked out early. As a result, it didn’t have the lasting impact of the Ford Mustang or the Chevrolet Camaro, but it still had great appeal to Mopar enthusiasts, and that was enough to encourage Dodge to come out with a modern iteration with plenty of trim levels to choose from. Challenger SXT and SXT Plus models are powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that makes 305 hp, the Challenger R/T has a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 with 375 hp, and the SRT8 model gets a nostalgically named “392” 6.4-liter Hemi that puts out 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. SRT8 models now benefit from standard three-mode adaptive dampers and launch control, both new for 2013. It would, however, be a mistake to call the Challenger a blunt instrument only made to go fast. There’s also an abundance of high-tech features available in the Challenger lineup. All models come with 6.5-inch touchscreen displays, and there are two available navigation systems, the more modest 430N system has been upgraded for 2013 with crisper graphics and more accurate guidance. The Challenger can also be optioned up with a 900-watt, eighteen-speaker premium audio surround-sound system from Harman Kardon, which means this modern muscle car can be as functional as it is fast.

Safety

Front, side, and side curtain air bags; traction and stability control; ABS; and a tire-pressure monitor
are standard.

You'll like:

Power at a reasonable price

Close replica of the classic

Three engine choices

You won't like:

Large blind spots

Big and heavy

Key Competitors For The 2013 Dodge Challenger

Chevrolet Camaro

Ford Mustang

Hyundai Genesis

Spied: Dodge Challenger Hellcat Mule

By
Jake Holmes
- 06/03/2013

Adding more credence to rumors that Chrysler's SRT brand is developing a more-powerful, supercharged engine called "Hellcat" are these spy photos. Our shooter caught a Dodge Challenger SRT8 that appears to be a test mule for a new engine.

Chrysler Group may develop a more powerful V-8 engine to take on the likes of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Automotive News reports that the company's SRT brand may launch a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, with output stretching as high as 640 hp.

They battle at the track and in showrooms too: Sports car sales are just as important to automakers as their performance is to enthusiasts. With that in mind, we decided to take a look at April sports car sales of vehicles that start at around $100,000 or less. Not surprisingly, the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, and Dodge Challenger lead the pack.

On paper, the Challenger Rallye Redline looks pretty excessive. The engine has only six cylinders, but it still makes 305 hp, enough to hustle this car around at police-annoying speeds. The stereo, which is the second of three levels (it's an optional extra, but audiophiles can pay extra for a more capable setup), is ear-splittingly loud. The wheels are 20-inchers; while this won't impress your local rap superstar, they're still really big. "Really big" also describes the Challenger's body, which appears to have eaten a smaller muscle car on its way to your driveway.

Following in the footsteps of February’s four-percent sales increase, Chrysler announced today that its U.S. volumes in March 2013 increased five percent year-over-year, totaling 171,606 units. Chrysler’s happy to boast about March being its 36th consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains, but more importantly, its first-quarter sales in 2013 are up eight percent compared to the same period in 2012.

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